Hemp has the potential to make Scotland's agricultural sector carbon neutral as well as providing huge economic benefits, a new report has found.
The study: The report is a collaboration involving the University of Aberdeen’s Rowett Institute and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), partnering with the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS) and the Scottish Hemp Association (SHA).
- It analysed the supply chain for hempseed and fibre in Scotland using data collected from farmers predominantly in the northeast of Scotland as well as the borders.
- Funded by the Scottish Government’s Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services through a Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutes (SEFARI)-Gateway fellowship, the study also looked at HMRC trade data as well as Mintel’s Global New Product Development Data. The trade data shows that the UK is a net importer of hempseed and hemp fibre.
The current status: At present, the supply chain for Scottish-grown hemp is underdeveloped with no well-established market routes for farmers.
- It is also exposed to many threats limiting its development, including low profitability, lack of technical support, weather limitations, lack of financial assistance, and stringent legislation.
The textiles angle: The report also looked at uses of hemp by the textiles industry:
- Textile production from hemp has been displaced by imports of cotton and synthetics which are intensive and heavily dependent on inputs of pesticides, fertilisers and water.
- Hemp bast fibre is a more sustainable replacement for the traditional natural and synthetic fibres in the textile industry.
- Hemp fibre textiles offer excellent protection from ultraviolet rays.
- Hemp fibres are useful for textiles because they have a good thermal conductivity which is necessary for heat transfer in summer and retaining heat in winter.
- Hemp fibre textiles have been proven to be suitable for people prone to allergies and sensitive skin.
- Hemp bast fibres are stronger, can hold their shape and stretches less than other natural fibres.
The backdrop: It is for the first time that a detailed analysis has been carried out on the market opportunities for the Scottish hemp sector with time-bound recommendations to revamp the supply chain provided.
- Hemp was once widely grown in Scotland and its cultivation dates back to more than 6,000 years.
- It has many uses including offsetting carbon dioxide, as a food, and as an eco-friendly fertiliser and pesticide.
- It is currently being used in building materials, as a biofuel, textile fabric and even as an alternative to plastic.
- As a food source it is high in protein, fibre and micronutrients, as well as having an exceptional fatty acid profile.
What they said:
We know that world production of industrial hemp has been on the decline since the 1960s due to an unfavourable political climate regarding the cultivation and use of the crop as well as legislation. However, the hemp plant has the potential to be a cost-effective, carbon neutral, and environmental-friendly crop for farmers.
— Wisdom Dogbe
Joint report author
Rowett Institute
Our research has provided strong advice on necessary steps to take to progress the Scottish hemp sector. These include, in the short-term, strategies that can be adopted by stakeholders such as using hemp as carbon credits crop as well as the provision of educational/technical support to hemp growers. Medium-term strategies involve relaxing the regulation of hemp and establishing a strong hemp processing sector. Long-term strategies to revamp the hemp sector include establishing strong vertical and horizontal linkages, a seed production centre and a well-co-ordinated hemp association.
— Cesar Revoredo-Giha
Joint report author
Scotland’s Rural College
